Barcode-reading system that automatically adjusts certain outputs based on ambient characteristics

ABSTRACT

A barcode-reading system may include a barcode reader and at least one detector that is configured to detect a characteristic of an environment in which the barcode-reading system is located. The barcode-reading system may also include a controller that is configured to adjust at least one output of the barcode-reading system based on at least one detected characteristic.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/611,342 (Attorney Docket No. 3271-2-115-P), titled“Automatically Adjusting Brightness of Indicator Lights in a ChargingCradle or Barcode Reader Based on Ambient Illumination,” filed Dec. 28,2017, with inventors Hong Ji and John Deal, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of information.Devices for identifying or extracting information from barcodes aregenerally referred to as barcode readers (or barcode scanners). Barcodesand barcode readers have become widely used in many different types ofenvironments, such as hospitals, point-of-sale stations in retail storesand supermarkets, inventory and document tracking, and the like.

Barcode readers may be powered by a rechargeable battery. Themanufacturer of a barcode reader typically provides a holder for thereader, which is commonly referred to as a charging cradle (or simply acradle). In addition to providing a convenient place to store thebarcode reader, the charging cradle may also be used to charge thereader's rechargeable battery.

A barcode-reading system that includes a barcode reader and its chargingcradle may produce various outputs. Some of the outputs may conveyrelevant information to users. For example, a barcode reader and/or itscharging cradle may include one or more lights that indicate thecharging status of the reader and possibly other information as well. Asanother example, a barcode reader and/or its charging cradle may beconfigured to play a certain type of sound (e.g., a beeping sound) inresponse to particular events, such as successfully reading a barcode,being placed correctly in the charging cradle, etc. As yet anotherexample, a barcode reader may be configured to emit tactile feedback(e.g., a vibration) in response to particular events, such assuccessfully reading a barcode, being placed correctly in the chargingcradle, etc.

In known barcode-reading systems, the characteristics of certain outputsremain fairly constant. For example, in known barcode readers, theindicator lights on the reader and/or on its charging cradle are kept atthe same level of brightness at all times. Similarly, the volume ofsounds that are played by a barcode reader and/or its charging cradletypically remain at the same volume level. To the extent that itpossible to change the brightness level or volume level at all, such achange typically requires manual adjustment (e.g., by scanning aconfiguration code).

Having the characteristics of outputs remain constant can be problematicin certain situations. For example, in many hospitals, barcode readersand their corresponding charging cradles are installed inside patientrooms. The brightness of the indicator lights and/or the volume ofsounds that are played may be set to levels that are useful during theday, but these same brightness and volume levels may keep patients awakeat nighttime. As another example, the volume of sounds (e.g., beepingsounds) that are played by a barcode reader may be set to a standardlevel that is suitable for a relatively quiet environment. If, however,the barcode reader is taken to a noisy environment, the user will likelybe unable to hear any sounds that are played by the barcode reader atthe standard volume level.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is generally related to a barcode-reading systemthat is configured to automatically adjust one or more outputs (e.g.,the brightness of indicator lights, the volume of sounds played, theduration or intensity of tactile feedback) based on one or more ambientcharacteristics, i.e., characteristics of the environment in which thebarcode-reading system is being used.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a barcode-reading system mayinclude a barcode reader and at least one detector that is configured todetect a characteristic of an environment in which the barcode-readingsystem is located. The barcode-reading system may also include acontroller that is configured to adjust at least one output of thebarcode-reading system based on at least one detected characteristic.

Different types of detectors may be utilized in accordance with thepresent disclosure. For example, the barcode-reading system may includea light detector that is configured to detect the intensity of ambientillumination that is present in the environment in which thebarcode-reading system is located. In some embodiments, the lightdetector may take the form of an image sensor, and the barcode-readingsystem may additionally include processing circuitry that is configuredto analyze image data from the image sensor in order to detect theambient illumination. Alternatively, the light detector may take theform of a photodiode. Another example of a detector that may be used isa sound detector that is configured to detect the volume and/orfrequencies of ambient noise that are present in the environment inwhich the barcode-reading system is located.

There are many different types of outputs of the barcode-reading systemthat may be adjusted in accordance with the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the controller may be configured to adjust one or morefeatures of one or more indicator lights that are included in thebarcode-reading system based on the detected ambient illumination. Forexample, the controller may be configured to adjust the brightness ofone or more indicator lights based on the intensity of ambientillumination that is detected. As another example, the controller may beconfigured to adjust the color of illumination displayed by one or moreindicator lights based on the intensity of ambient illumination that isdetected.

Another example of an output that may be adjusted is the volume of soundthat is output by one or more speakers in the barcode-reading system. Insome embodiments, the volume of sound may be adjusted based on theintensity of ambient illumination that is detected. In otherembodiments, the volume of sound may be adjusted based on the volumeand/or frequencies of ambient noise that are detected. In still furtherembodiments, the volume of sound may be adjusted based on the intensityof ambient illumination that is detected as well as the volume and/orfrequencies of ambient noise that are detected.

Yet another example of an output that may be adjusted is the type oftargeting illumination that is utilized. The barcode reader may includea first targeting illumination source (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and a second targeting illumination source (e.g., a laser). Thecontroller may be configured to determine whether to activate the firsttargeting illumination source or the second targeting illuminationsource based on the intensity of ambient illumination that is detected.

Yet another example of an output that may be adjusted is the color ofillumination that is emitted by an illumination source of the barcodereader. In some embodiments, the color of illumination may be adjustedbased on one or more characteristics of a barcode within a field of viewof the barcode reader.

A barcode-reading system in accordance with the present disclosure mayinclude a barcode reader and a charging cradle that is configured toreceive the barcode reader. In some embodiments, the controller thatadjusts the outputs may be located in the barcode reader, and at leastsome of the outputs that are being adjusted (e.g., the indicator lights,the speaker) may be included in the charging cradle. Alternatively, boththe controller and the outputs that are being adjusted may be includedin the charging cradle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a barcode-reading system in accordance with thepresent disclosure in which the controller is included in the barcodereader, and the outputs that are being adjusted are included in thecharging cradle.

FIG. 2 illustrates a barcode-reading system in accordance with thepresent disclosure in which both the controller and the outputs that arebeing adjusted are included in the charging cradle.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a lookup table in which the brightnesssettings are the same for different indicator lights.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a lookup table in which the brightnesssettings are different for different indicator lights.

FIG. 3 illustrates a barcode reader that is configured to adjust one ormore of its outputs based on ambient characteristics.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a barcode reader that is configured toadjust the color of illumination that is emitted by an illuminationsource based on a characteristic of a barcode within the field of viewof the barcode reader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a barcode-reading system 100 that isconfigured to automatically adjust one or more outputs based on one ormore ambient characteristics in accordance with the present disclosure.The system 100 includes a barcode reader 102 and a charging cradle 104that is configured to receive the barcode reader 102. The barcode reader102 includes a detector that is configured to detect a characteristic ofan environment in which the barcode reader 102 is located. Morespecifically, the detector is a light detector, and the detectedcharacteristic is ambient illumination 110.

In the depicted embodiment, the light detector is an image sensor 108.The image sensor 108 includes a two-dimensional array of light-sensitiveelements, or photosensors. When the barcode reader 102 is being used toread a barcode, the image sensor 108 is used to capture a digital imageof the barcode. More specifically, one or more light sources within thebarcode reader 102 may be activated to illuminate a target area thatincludes the barcode. Optics within the barcode reader 102 focus lightreflected from the target area onto the image sensor 108. Read-outcircuitry electronically reads the photo sensors in order to obtain adigital image of the barcode. This digital image may then be processedin order to decode the barcode.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the image sensor 108 may alsobe used for the purpose of detecting the level of ambient illumination110. The image sensor 108 may be used for this purpose even when it isnot being used to capture images for barcode reading. For example, theimage sensor 108 may periodically capture an image for the purpose ofdetecting the intensity of ambient illumination 110. When the imagesensor is capturing an image that is going to be used solely fordetecting ambient illumination 110, the illumination that would normallybe activated if the barcode reader 102 were being used to read a barcodemay not be turned on. The barcode reader 102 also includes processingcircuitry 116 that is configured to analyze image data from the imagesensor 108 in order to detect the intensity of ambient illumination 110that is present.

In an alternative embodiment, a different type of light detector may beincluded in the barcode reader 102. For example, the barcode reader 102may include a photodiode, either instead of or in addition to the imagesensor 108. In some embodiments, the barcode reader 102 may include animage sensor 108 that may be used solely for reading barcodes, as wellas a photodiode that may be used for detecting ambient illumination. Inother embodiments, both the image sensor 108 and the photodiode may beused for detecting ambient illumination.

The charging cradle 104 may include a recess into which the barcodereader 102 may be inserted. The barcode reader 102 and the chargingcradle 104 may be configured such that when the barcode reader 102 ispositioned in the charging cradle 104, the light detector (e.g., animage sensor 108 and/or a photodiode) is not completely covered by thecharging cradle 104, thereby allowing the light detector to detect thelevel of ambient illumination 110. For example, the light detector maybe located someplace on the reader 102 that is not contained within therecess when the barcode reader 102 is inserted into the charging cradle104. Alternatively, even if the light detector is contained within therecess when the barcode reader 102 is inserted into the charging cradle104, the charging cradle 104 itself may include an opening that exposesthe light detector to the ambient illumination 110.

The image sensor 108 may provide an indication of the level of ambientillumination 110 to a controller 114 (via processing circuitry 116). Thecontroller 114 may be configured to adjust at least one output of thesystem 100 based on the intensity of ambient illumination 110 that isdetected. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the controller 114may be configured to adjust one or more features of indicator lights 106a-b that are included in the charging cradle 104 based on the intensityof ambient illumination 110 that is detected.

The indicator lights 106 a-b may provide information about the chargingstatus of the barcode reader 102. For example, the first indicator light106 a may, when activated, indicate a status of “charging.” The secondindicator light 106 b may, when activated, indicate a status of “fullycharged.” The number and type of indicator lights 106 a-b shown in FIG.1 is for purposes of example only. A charging cradle 104 in accordancewith the present disclosure may include a different number of indicatorlights 106 a-b, and the indicator lights 106 a-b may provide differentkinds of information.

The controller 114 may be configured to adjust the brightness of theindicator lights 106 a-b based on the intensity of ambient illumination110 that is detected. Typically, indicator lights 106 a-b are relativelyeasy to see in a dark environment, but harder to see in a brightenvironment. Therefore, if a relatively low level of ambientillumination 110 is detected (e.g., if the barcode reader 102 is locatedin a dark environment), then the controller 114 may decrease thebrightness of the indicator lights 106 a-b, because the indicator lights106 a-b do not have to be as bright in order to be detected by humaneyes. Conversely, if a relatively high level of ambient illumination 110is detected (e.g., if the barcode reader 102 is located in a brightenvironment), then the controller 114 may increase the brightness of theindicator lights 106 a-b, because it is more difficult for human eyes tosee the indicator lights 106 a-b in a bright environment.

This feature may be advantageous if the barcode reader 102 and chargingcradle 104 are being installed in a location where people sometimessleep. For example, if the barcode reader 102 and charging cradle 104are being installed in a medical facility, such as a hospital, thebrightness of the indicator lights 106 a-b may keep patients awake atnight. The techniques disclosed herein may potentially address thisproblem by automatically adjusting the brightness of the indicatorlights 106 a-b so that they do not appear too bright in relation to theintensity of ambient illumination 110 that is present.

In addition to (or instead of) adjusting the brightness of the indicatorlights 106 a-b, the controller 114 may be configured to adjust one ormore other features of the indicator lights 106 a-b based on theintensity of ambient illumination 110 that is detected. For example, thecontroller 114 may be configured to adjust the color of illuminationdisplayed by the indicator lights 106 a-b based on the intensity ofambient illumination 110 that is detected. This may be possible inembodiments where the indicator lights 106 a-b are capable of emittingor displaying different colors of illumination.

Some colors are more noticeable to human eyes than others. In someembodiments, the controller 114 may be configured to adjust the color ofillumination displayed by the indicator lights 106 a-b based on thisprinciple, in order to increase visibility in a bright environment. Forexample, the controller 114 may be configured so that if high levels ofambient illumination 110 are detected, the controller 114 adjusts thecolor of illumination displayed by the indicator lights 106 a-b toinclude a highly noticeable color (e.g., red) that is easily detected byhuman eyes. Suppose that in a dark environment, the first indicatorlight 106 a is green and the second indicator light 106 b is yellow.Upon detecting a significant increase in the intensity of ambientillumination 110 that is present, the controller 114 may adjust thecolor of illumination displayed by the indicator lights 106 a-b toinclude a small amount of red hue, so that the first indicator light 106a is green with a slightly red hue and the second indicator light 106 bis yellow with a slightly red hue. This has the effect of increasing thevisibility of the indicator lights 106 a-b in the bright environment.Conversely, upon subsequently detecting a significant reduction in theintensity of ambient illumination 110 that is present, the controller114 may adjust the color of illumination displayed by the indicatorlights 106 a-b to reduce (or possibly remove) the red hue that wasadded, so that the first indicator light 106 a is a more pure green andthe second indicator light 106 b is a more pure yellow.

In some embodiments, the controller 114 may be configured to both (i)adjust the brightness of the indicator lights 106 a-b, and also (ii)adjust the color of illumination displayed by the indicator lights 106a-b based on the intensity of ambient illumination 110 that is detected.For example, as mentioned above, the controller 114 may decrease thebrightness of the indicator lights 106 a-b if low levels of ambientillumination 110 are detected (e.g., if the barcode reader 102 islocated in a dark environment). To at least partially compensate for thereduction in visibility that occurs from decreasing the brightness ofthe indicator lights 106 a-b, the controller 114 may adjust the color ofillumination displayed by the indicator lights 106 a-b to include asmall amount of red hue.

Although a single controller 114 is shown in FIG. 1, the functionalityperformed by the controller 114 could alternatively be distributedacross multiple controllers 114. These controllers 114 could be locatedwithin the barcode reader 102, within the charging cradle 104, or withinboth the barcode reader 102 and the charging cradle 104.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the charging cradle 104includes indicator lights 106 a-b, but the reader 102 does not. In analternative embodiment, both the reader 102 and the charging cradle 104could include indicator lights. The brightness of both sets of indicatorlights could be adjusted based on the level of ambient illumination 110detected by the image sensor 108 (or other type of light detector).

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a barcode-reading system 200 inaccordance with the present disclosure. Like the system 100 describedpreviously, the system 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a barcode reader 202and a charging cradle 204 that is configured to receive the barcodereader 202.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the barcode reader 102 providessignals to the charging cradle 104 to control how the charging cradle104 adjusts the indicator lights 106 a-b on the charging cradle 104. Incontrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the charging cradle 204itself is able to determine how to adjust the indicator lights 206 a-cwithout input from the barcode reader 202. In addition, the chargingcradle 204 is able to adjust other outputs, such as the volume of soundsthat are played by a speaker 222.

The charging cradle 204 includes two detectors. Both detectors areconfigured to detect a characteristic of an environment in which thecharging cradle 204 is located. Like the system 100 shown in FIG. 1, thesystem 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a light detector. However, insteadof being included in the barcode reader 202 (as it is in the system 100shown in FIG. 1), the light detector is included in the charging cradle204. The light detector takes the form of a photodiode 208, which isconfigured to detect the intensity of ambient illumination 210 that ispresent in an environment in which the charging cradle 204 is located.In addition to the light detector (i.e., the photodiode 208), thecharging cradle 204 also includes a sound detector 218. The sounddetector 218 is configured to detect the volume and/or frequencies ofambient noise 220 that are present in an environment in which thecharging cradle 204 is located.

Like the system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the system 200 shown in FIG. 2includes a controller 214 that is configured to adjust at least oneoutput of the system 200 based on one or more characteristics of thesurrounding environment that are detected. However, instead of beingincluded in the barcode reader 202 (like the controller 114 in thesystem 100 shown in FIG. 1), the controller 214 is included in thecharging cradle 204.

Like the controller 114 in the system 100 shown in FIG. 1, thecontroller 214 may be configured to adjust one or more features ofindicator lights 206 a-b that are included in the charging cradle 204based on the intensity of ambient illumination 210 that is detected.This may include adjusting the brightness of the indicator lights 206a-c and/or adjusting the color of illumination displayed by theindicator lights 206 a-c, as discussed above.

The controller 214 may also be configured to adjust the volume of soundthat is output by a speaker 222 within the charging cradle 204 based onthe intensity of ambient illumination 210 that is detected. As withadjusting the brightness of the indicator lights 206 a-c, this featuremay be advantageous if the barcode reader 202 and charging cradle 204are being installed in a location where people sometimes sleep. If arelatively low level of ambient illumination 210 is detected, this mayindicate that it is nighttime and, as a result, reasonably likely thatpeople would be sleeping. Consequently, the volume of sound that isoutput by the speaker 222 may be decreased or even turned completelyoff, in order to minimize the likelihood of waking anybody up.Conversely, if a relatively high level of ambient illumination 210 isdetected, this may indicate that it is daytime and, as a result,reasonably unlikely that people would be sleeping. Consequently, thevolume of sound that is output by the speaker 222 may be increased to apoint that would be considered reasonable for normal daytime activities.

The controller 214 may also be configured to adjust the volume of soundthat is output by the speaker 222 based on the volume and/or frequenciesof ambient noise 220 that are detected. This feature may be advantageousif the barcode reader 202 and charging cradle 204 are at least sometimesused in a noisy environment. If a relatively high level of ambient noise220 is detected (e.g., if the barcode reader 202 is located in arelatively noisy environment), then the controller 114 may increase thevolume of sound that is output by the speaker 222 in order to increasethe likelihood that the sound will be heard properly over the ambientnoise 220. If, however, a relatively low level of ambient noise 220 isdetected (e.g., if the barcode reader 202 is located in a relativelyquiet environment), then the controller 114 may decrease the volume ofsound that is output by the speaker 222, because the sound does not haveto be as loud in order to be heard properly.

Similarly, in a noisy environment the controller 114 may automaticallyprovide for tactile feedback (e.g. vibration) in response to certainevents in conjunction with (or in replacement of) activating indicatorlights or sounds. In a quiet environment tactile feedback mayautomatically replace loud sounds or, tactile feedback itself may beturned off in the event the tactile feedback is also audible.

The controller 214 may access a lookup table 224 in order to determinehow to adjust the outputs of the system 200 (e.g., the brightness of theindicator lights 206 a-c, the color of illumination displayed by theindicator lights 206 a-c, the volume of sound that is output by thespeaker 222) based on one or more characteristics of the surroundingenvironment (e.g., the intensity of ambient illumination 210, the volumeand/or frequencies of ambient noise 220) that are detected.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a lookup table 224 a that may be usedto determine the brightness of the indicator lights 206 a-c based on theintensity of ambient illumination 210 that is detected. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2A, for a given level of ambient illumination210, there is a single brightness setting for all of the indicatorlights 206 a-c.

In embodiments where the indicator lights 206 a-c are LEDs, thebrightness setting may be a pulse-width modulation (PWM) duty cycle.Thus, the lookup table 224 a includes a first PWM duty cycle (PWM₁) fora first level of ambient illumination 210, a second PWM duty cycle(PWM₂) for a second level of ambient illumination 210, and so forth, upto an Nth PWM duty cycle (PWM_(N)) for an Nth level of ambientillumination 210.

As discussed above, the controller 214 may be configured to increase thebrightness of the indicator lights 206 a-c as the intensity of ambientillumination 210 increases. Therefore, assuming that the second level ofambient illumination exceeds the first level of ambient illumination,then PWM₂>PWM₁, because a longer pulse-width modulation duty cyclecorresponds to a greater degree of brightness. Similarly, if the Nthlevel of ambient illumination exceeds the second level of ambientillumination, then PWM_(N)>PWM₂.

A similar lookup table may be created for the volume level of the soundsplayed by the speaker 222. In such a lookup table, multiple levels ofambient noise 220 (or ambient illumination 210) may be provided. For agiven level of ambient noise 220 (or ambient illumination 210), a volumesetting may be provided for sounds played by the speaker 222.

FIG. 2B illustrates another example of a lookup table 224 b that may beused to determine the brightness of the indicator lights 206 a-c basedon the intensity of ambient illumination 210 that is detected. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the brightness settings are different fordifferent indicator lights 206 a-c.

In some embodiments, at least two of the indicator lights 206 a-c may bedifferent colors. Several different colors of indicator lights 206 a-cmay be used. Examples of different colors that may be used include red,yellow, green, and blue. Although the charging cradle 204 shown in FIG.2 includes three indicator lights 206 a-c, in alternative embodimentsthe charging cradle 204 (and/or the barcode reader 202) may include adifferent number of indicator lights 206 a-c.

Because human eyes are more sensitive to certain colors of light thanothers, in some embodiments, some of the indicator lights 206 a-c mayhave a different level of brightness than others for the same level ofambient illumination 210. In other words, the brightness of theindicator lights 206 a-c may be a function of both the level of ambientillumination 210, and also the color of the indicator lights 206 a-c

The lookup table 224 b may be structured so that the brightness settingsfor different colors of indicator lights 206 a-c are different. Forexample, for a given level of ambient illumination 210, the brightnesssetting for the first indicator light 206 a may be different than thebrightness setting for the second indicator light 206 b, which may bedifferent than the brightness setting for the third indicator light 206c.

For example, consider an embodiment in which the color of the firstindicator light 206 a is red, the color of the second indicator light206 b is yellow, and the color of the third indicator light 206 c isgreen. Human eyes are more sensitive to green light than to yellow lightor red light. Thus, for a certain level of ambient illumination 210, thegreen indicator light 206 c may be dimmer than the red indicator light206 a or the yellow indicator light 206 b. For example, referring to thesecond level of ambient illumination that is shown in the lookup table224 b, the PWM duty cycle for the green indicator light 206 c (PWM_(2G))may be shorter than the PWM duty cycle for the red indicator light 206 a(PWM_(2R)) or the PWM duty cycle for the yellow indicator light 206 b(PWM_(2Y)).

As an example in operation, when a barcode reader 202 with a depletedbattery is inserted into a charging cradle 204, in response to eithersensing that the barcode reader 202 is drawing charging current from thecharging cradle 204 or in response to the barcode reader 202 providing asignal to the controller 214 that it is charging, the controller 214 mayilluminate a red or yellow indicator light to indicate charging. Morespecifically, the controller 214 may calculate or look up a brightnesslevel associated with the color of the indicator light and the intensityof ambient illumination 210 that has been detected, and the controller214 may then drive illumination of the indicator light at thatbrightness level.

Subsequently, when the battery is charged, the controller 214 may turnoff the red or yellow indicator light and illuminate a green indicatorlight to indicate that the barcode reader 202 is fully charged. Morespecifically, in response to sensing that the reader is no longerdrawing charging current or in response to receiving a signal indicatingthat the barcode reader 202 is fully charged, the controller 214 mayturn off the red or yellow indicator light (which was being driven at abrightness corresponding to the then-current ambient illumination 210and the color of the indicator light) and turn on the green indicatorlight with a different brightness level than the brightness level of thered or yellow indicator light that was just turned off.

In both of the barcode-reading systems 100, 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,a controller adjusts one or more outputs of a charging cradle 104, 204(e.g., the brightness of the indicator lights 106 a-b, 206 a-c, thecolor of illumination displayed by the indicator lights 106 a-b, 206a-c, the volume of sound that is output by the speaker 222) based onambient characteristics. In some embodiments, however, one or moreoutputs of the barcode reader itself may be adjusted based on ambientcharacteristics.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a barcode reader 302 that is configuredto adjust one or more of its outputs based on ambient characteristics inaccordance with the present disclosure. The barcode reader 302 includestwo detectors. Both detectors are configured to detect a characteristicof an environment in which the barcode reader 302 is located. Inparticular, the barcode reader 302 includes a light detector 308 that isconfigured to detect the intensity of ambient illumination 310 that ispresent in an environment in which the barcode reader 302 is located.The light detector 308 may take the form of an image sensor, such as theimage sensor 108 in the barcode reader 102 shown in FIG. 1.Alternatively, the light detector 308 may take the form of a photodiode,such as the photodiode 208 in the charging cradle 204 shown in FIG. 1.The barcode reader 302 also includes a sound detector 318 that isconfigured to detect the volume and/or frequencies of ambient noise 320that are present in an environment in which the barcode reader 302 islocated.

The light detector 308 and the sound detector 318 may be configured toperiodically detect the ambient illumination 310 and the ambient noise320, respectively. The light detector 308 and the sound detector 318 maybe configured to detect the ambient illumination 310 and the ambientnoise 320, respectively, in response to receiving a signal from thecontroller 314. The controller 314 may be configured to periodicallysend such a signal to the light detector 308 and/or the sound detector318.

The light detector 308 may output an ambient illumination metric 328that is representative of the intensity of ambient illumination 310 thatis detected by the light detector 308. Similarly, the sound detector 318may output an ambient noise metric 330 that is representative of thevolume and/or frequencies of ambient noise 320 that are detected by thesound detector 318.

The controller 314 may also be configured to adjust at least one outputof the barcode reader 302 based on one or more characteristics of thesurrounding environment that are detected. For example, the controller314 may be configured to adjust one or more features of indicator lights306 a-b that are included in the barcode reader 302 based on theintensity of ambient illumination 310 that is detected (as indicated bythe ambient illumination metric 328). This may include adjusting thebrightness of the indicator lights 306 a-b and/or adjusting the color ofillumination displayed by the indicator lights 306 a-b, as discussedabove. The controller 314 may also be configured to adjust the volume ofsound that is output by a speaker 322 within the barcode reader 302based on the intensity of ambient illumination 310 that is detected bythe light detector 308 and/or the volume and/or frequencies of ambientnoise 320 that are detected by the sound detector 318 (as indicated bythe ambient noise metric 330).

Another type of output that may be adjusted based on ambientcharacteristics is the type of targeting illumination source that isbeing used. The barcode reader 302 includes different targetingillumination sources, namely a first targeting illumination source 326 aand a second targeting illumination source 326 b. In some embodiments,the first targeting illumination source 326 a may be a light-emittingdiode (LED), and the second targeting illumination source 326 b may be alaser. The targeting pattern that is displayed by a laser is typicallymuch brighter and easier to see than the targeting pattern that isdisplayed by an LED. Because of safety concerns associated with the useof a lasers, however, it is typically preferable to use an LED togenerate a targeting pattern unless the barcode reader 302 is being usedin circumstances in which the LED targeting pattern is difficult to see.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the controller 314 may beconfigured to determine whether to activate the first targetingillumination source 326 a or the second targeting illumination source326 b based on the intensity of ambient illumination 310 that isdetected. For example, assuming that the first targeting illuminationsource 326 a is an LED and that the second targeting illumination source326 b is a laser, the controller 314 may be configured to select the LEDtargeting source 326 a as long as the intensity of ambient illumination310 (as indicated by the ambient illumination metric 328) remains belowa threshold value. In other words, the LED targeting source 326 a may beselected as long as the environment in which the barcode reader 302 isbeing used does not become too bright. If the intensity of ambientillumination 310 that is detected increases above a threshold value,however, then the controller 314 may be configured to select the lasertargeting source 326 b.

In some embodiments, the controller 314 may be configured to adjustoutputs of the barcode reader 302 based on a predetermined schedule 325.This may be done in parallel with adjusting the outputs based on thedetected ambient illumination 310 and the detected ambient noise 320.Under some circumstances, the controller 314 may be configured to adjustoutputs of the barcode reader 302 based on the schedule 325 unless thecurrent levels of ambient illumination 310 and/or ambient noise 320suggest that the schedule 325 should not be followed. For example, ifthe schedule 325 indicates that the brightness level of the indicatorlights 306 a-b should be relatively low and the intensity of ambientillumination 310 detected by the light detector 308 is relatively low,then the controller 314 may follow the schedule 325. However, if theschedule 325 indicates that the brightness level of the indicator lights306 a-b should be relatively low but the intensity of ambientillumination 310 detected by the light detector 308 is relatively high,then the controller 314 may ignore the schedule 325 and adjust thebrightness level of the indicator lights 306 a-b based on the intensityof ambient illumination 310 that is detected.

One advantage of the schedule 325 is that it could potentially allow thelight detector 308 (and/or the sound detector 318) to detect the ambientillumination 310 (and/or the ambient noise 320) less frequently, therebysaving battery life. The schedule 325 may be constructed based on knownpatterns of use of the barcode reader 302. In some embodiments, theschedule 325 may be constructed using machine learning techniques. Dataincluding previously detected levels of ambient illumination 310 and/orambient noise 320 as well as the corresponding timestamps may beanalyzed for patterns, and the schedule 325 may be constructed based onthose patterns.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a barcode reader 402 that isconfigured to adjust one or more of its outputs based on one or moreambient characteristics in accordance with the present disclosure. Inthe depicted embodiment, the output that is adjusted is the color ofillumination that is emitted by an illumination source 436, and theambient characteristic includes a characteristic (e.g., the color) of abarcode 434 within the field of view of the barcode reader 402.

The barcode reader 402 includes an image sensor 408 that is configuredto capture an image of a target area 432, which may include a barcode434. The barcode reader 402 also includes an illumination source 436,which is configured to emit illumination onto the target area 432.

The barcode reader 402 also includes a controller 414 that is configuredto adjust the color of illumination that is emitted by the illuminationsource 436 based on a characteristic of the barcode 434, such as thecolor of the barcode 434. For example, suppose that under normalcircumstances the illumination source 436 is configured to emit redillumination. If, however, the barcode 434 itself is the color red, thenthe controller 414 may change the color of illumination that is emittedby the illumination source 436 from red to another color (e.g., white).As another example, the controller 414 may change the color ofillumination that is emitted by the illumination source 436 upondetecting that the barcode 434 is a particular type of barcode, such asa direct part marking (DPM) barcode.

In order to determine whether the color of illumination that is emittedby the illumination source 436 should be adjusted, the controller 414may use information 440 about the contrast of the images that arecaptured by the image sensor 408. This image contrast information 440may be determined by processing circuitry 416 that analyzes image data438 from the image sensor 408. If the image contrast information 440indicates that the image contrast has decreased below a threshold level,then the controller 414 may adjust the color of illumination that isemitted by the illumination source 436.

The term “determining” (and grammatical variants thereof) encompasses awide variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can includecalculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up(e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure),ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving(e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in amemory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving,selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to beinclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements. Additionally, it should be understood that referencesto “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, anyelement or feature described in relation to an embodiment herein may becombinable with any element or feature of any other embodiment describedherein, where compatible.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope ofthe disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A barcode-reading system, comprising: a barcodereader; a detector that is configured to detect a characteristic of anenvironment in which the barcode-reading system is located; and acontroller that is configured to automatically adjust at least oneoutput of the barcode-reading system based on the detectedcharacteristic.
 2. The barcode-reading system of claim 1, wherein: thedetector comprises a light detector; and the detected characteristiccomprises ambient illumination.
 3. The barcode-reading system of claim2, wherein: the light detector comprises an image sensor; and thebarcode-reading system further comprises processing circuitry that isconfigured to analyze image data from the image sensor in order todetect the ambient illumination.
 4. The barcode-reading system of claim2, wherein the light detector comprises a photodiode.
 5. Thebarcode-reading system of claim 2, wherein: the barcode-reading systemfurther comprises an indicator light; and the controller is configuredto adjust a feature of the indicator light based on the ambientillumination.
 6. The barcode-reading system of claim 5, wherein thecontroller is configured to adjust brightness of the indicator lightbased on the ambient illumination.
 7. The barcode-reading system ofclaim 5, wherein the controller is configured to adjust a color ofillumination displayed by the indicator light based on the ambientillumination.
 8. The barcode-reading system of claim 5, wherein: thebarcode-reading system further comprises a charging cradle; the barcodereader comprises the controller; and the charging cradle comprises theindicator light.
 9. The barcode-reading system of claim 5, wherein: thebarcode-reading system further comprises a charging cradle; and thecharging cradle comprises the controller and the indicator light. 10.The barcode-reading system of claim 2, wherein: the barcode-readingsystem further comprises a speaker; and the controller is configured toadjust a volume of sound output by the speaker based on the ambientillumination.
 11. The barcode-reading system of claim 2, wherein: thebarcode reader comprises a first targeting illumination source and asecond targeting illumination source; and the controller is configuredto determine whether to activate the first targeting illumination sourceor the second targeting illumination source based on the ambientillumination.
 12. The barcode-reading system of claim 1, wherein: thedetector comprises a sound detector; the detected characteristiccomprises ambient noise; the barcode-reading system further comprises aspeaker; and the controller is configured to adjust a volume of soundoutput by the speaker based on the ambient noise.
 13. Thebarcode-reading system of claim 1, wherein: the detector comprises animage sensor; the detected characteristic comprises a characteristic ofa barcode within a field of view of the barcode reader; the barcodereader comprises an illumination source; and the controller isconfigured to adjust a color of illumination emitted by the illuminationsource based on the characteristic of the barcode.
 14. Thebarcode-reading system of claim 1, wherein: the barcode-reading systemfurther comprises a plurality of indicator lights and a lookup tablethat comprises different brightness settings for different indicatorlights; and the controller is configured to access the lookup table todetermine how to adjust brightness of the plurality of indicator lights.15. A barcode-reading system, comprising: a charging cradle comprisingan indicator light; and a barcode reader configured for placement insidethe charging cradle, the barcode reader comprising: a light detectorthat is configured to detect ambient illumination; and a controller thatis configured to adjust a feature of the indicator light based on theambient illumination.
 16. The barcode-reading system of claim 15,wherein: the light detector comprises an image sensor; and the barcodereader further comprises processing circuitry that is configured toanalyze image data from the image sensor in order to detect the ambientillumination.
 17. The barcode-reading system of claim 15, wherein thecontroller is configured to adjust at least one of brightness of theindicator light or a color of illumination displayed by the indicatorlight based on the ambient illumination.
 18. A barcode-reading system,comprising: a barcode reader; and a charging cradle configured toreceive the barcode reader, the charging cradle comprising: an indicatorlight; a light detector that is configured to detect ambientillumination; and a controller that is configured to adjust a feature ofthe indicator light based on the ambient illumination.
 19. Thebarcode-reading system of claim 18, wherein the controller is configuredto adjust at least one of brightness of the indicator light or a colorof illumination displayed by the indicator light based on the ambientillumination.
 20. The barcode-reading system of claim 18, wherein: thecharging cradle further comprises a speaker and a sound detector that isconfigured to detect ambient noise; and the controller is additionallyconfigured to adjust a volume of sound output by the speaker based onthe ambient noise.